I have heard and read a lot of Dodger fans ask why the Dodgers have not signed Corey Seager. After all, it’s so simple, right? Just sign him… hand him a blank check and let him take it from there. Easy Peasy! There you go – just get it done! So, why is it not yet done?
The simple answer is that the price is unknown and most likely, too high and why would his agent sign for anything less than what Mookie Betts got? Yes, that’s what I said. Seager will try for Mookie Betts-Type Money. He’s younger and just won the World Series MVP. He one of the Top Shortstops in the Game… and depending upon what happens this year, he could be the best SS in the game. Number One! Numero Uno!
Corey is totally healthy, locked in, and destroying baseballs at an incredible rate. That, and did I mention who his agent is? Yeah, so there is that too. Scott Borass is going to make dang sure that Corey Seager becomes one of the Top Three players in the game. .. pay wise! Maybe you doubt that. I don’t! If Corey Seager has the kind of year I think he will, then he will command that kind of money and if I were Andrew Friedman, I am not sure I would do that.
Then, There are the Yankees!
It’s no secret that Corey Seager grew up a Yankees and Derek Jeter fan. He’s plays SS… same as Jeter. The Yankees will have a lot of money come off the books next year and could (I said “could”) offer Corey a 10-Year/$400 Million Dollar Deal! [GULP!] I know Corey loves being a Dodger, but is there a part of him that would want to go play in the Bronx with his childhood team in the same place his idol played? I think it is a strong possibility.
Corey would likely flourish in Yankee Stadium the way he uses all fields. He might hit 60 home runs there. It’s depressing to think about things like this, but that’s reality. If I were Andrew Friedman, I would offer Corey $300 Million over 10-years. That’s a lot and with three other of the Top Shortstops on the market as well, who knows what the market will be next offseason. If I were Scott Borass, I would counter with $350 Million as a compromise. It’s a risk… either way!
I have no clue what will happen and I would not be surprised either way. One final Wild Card: What if his idol tried to sign him to be the cornerstone of the Marlins franchise? It’s closer to his Carolina homestead and maybe they ice the cake by trading for his brother? Now that would be one for the ages!
The DH in the NL
While I cannot believe that the Commissioner will re-instate the DH at this late juncture, there is still a lot of talk on MLB.Radio of just that. Of course, I did not think they would say this either:
In an attempt to crackdown on the use of foreign substances on baseballs for the upcoming season, Major League Baseball will inspect balls taken out of play, analyze spin rate data and increase monitoring of dugouts and clubhouses.
I think it is dumb and ill-conceived and someone will get killed! That sounds just about right for this bunch of idiot owners led by the Village Idiot: Robber Man Dead Head. That’s all I have to say about it! Common sense is not so common these days.
What We Learned Last Night
- Sheldon Noisy is headed tp AAA, as we suspected.
- Dustin May is not!
- Price and Gonsolin may start the season in the bullpen.
- Jimmy Nelson will make the Opening Day Roster.
- The team is tired of Spring Training and ready for Opening Day – Bring it!
Brown-Eyed Girl
Happy Birthday to My Brown-Eyed Girl . I am not allowed to say she will be 58.
Robbed the cradle.
Enjoy your vacation Mark.
Well done, Mark…
The spin rate news could be bad news not just for Bauer, but Nelson too. He had a big jump in his spin rate in his best season.
May looked fantastic, but it left me thinking (again) that signing Bauer is bad karma.
Lets see how he goes for about 6 weeks then we can judge a little. The guy is an intense competitor. When the games mean something, I think you will see a different attitude out there.
That was the risk in signing him – that his Cy Young and the high spin rate was a mirage due to whatever sticky stuff is being used by many of the top pitchers. Then again, he has been the single person most vocal in bringing attention to the use of stickum to increase spin rate, so maybe his big jump in spin rate was something having to do more with him being a Driveline rat and student of pitching.
It’s almost a little weird having Price as a lefty in the pen, but it makes sense. He’s actually volunteered for the role, and it’s not like he wants to audition for another long term contract as a SP. He could be the Alex Wood, who came up big in the playoffs.
Good to see May get whiffs throwing his four seamer high in the zone more. If he can master that and make it a key feature in his arsenal, then I think he’ll start realizing the potential of his velocity. As much crazy movement as his two seamer has, it just doesn’t miss enough bats to play up against MLB hitting. That, and if he can get really a really sharp curve with late break to change speeds, he could be devastating.
Same thing with Graterol. The arm side run of his fastball looks awesome, but he doesn’t miss enough bats to really be considered as Kenley’s replacement. … and I find it disconcerting that he didn’t throw at all during the off – season and is now not ready to start the season. What the hell? Does anyone know what that’s even about?
Patch, excellent observation on May. I was thinking the same thing during his previous start. That “turbo” arm side runner (sinker) at 97 gets in on the knuckles of righties, but is not a swing and miss pitch to big league hitters. The high cheese is. Maybe that sinker plays better at 93 than 97. If he can learn to command a great change, look out.
I have said all along what others are now seeing. His stuff is wasted at AAA and his big league stuff is obvious and needs to play. Geez, he’s 23. He won’t be the first or the last 23 year old to learn and improve his craft in the big leagues. We’re so loaded, we need to make up stuff to worry about.
I’m not sure if there’s a team in the history of baseball that Dustin May wouldn’t be a starting pitcher for.
San Diego?
With as many SS who are free agents this winter, AF does not have to get into a bidding war over Corey. If he wants to stay, he can direct Boras to do that. It is as much on him as it is on the Dodgers to try and re-sign him. Some teams already losing pieces to injury. Freeland is out for the Rockies. Eloy Jimenez of the White Sox out for at least 5 months. I am just happy the Dodgers seem very healthy. May made a strong case to be in the rotation last night. Tonight will be Kersh’s final tune up. Starting 5 look to be , Kersh, Bauer, Buehler, Urias and May. Although Roberts has said that May and Gonsolin may have no set roles. Price, Gonzalez and Alexander are the lefty’s out of the pen. Nelson, Knebel, Jansen, Treinen, and Gonsolin. Pretty good pen. Betts, Belli, Pollock, Turner, Seager, Lux, Muncy, Smith, Barnes, Beaty, Rios, Taylor and McKinstry fill out the 26 man. Rios has had a hammy issue but is supposed to be back in the lineup tonight.
Where all aware that baseball is looking at all sorts of rule changes. Here are some that may also be implemented:
1. In order to minimize the chance of extra inning games, in the 9th inning, the home team will bat with the bases loaded and each batter will have a 3-0 count.
2. A home team manager will be allowed, during the first 8 innings, to yell “shenanigans” after any visiting teams as batted and all the runs scored during that inning will be taken off the board.
3. Shifting will be allowed but if the player is placed on the outfield grass, that player must wear 5 pound weights around their ankles.
4. In order to improve the competitive balance, no team will be allowed to sign or trade for a former MVP or Cy Young award winner if said team already has such a player on their roster.
I think the biggest and most important rule change will be that no player other than the catcher will be allowed to use a mitt after the 9th inning. It will be known as the Cricket Rule.
Also, after the ninth inning all pitches will be delivered underhand, like slow pitch softball pitches, it will be known as the FU Fans Rule.
Dammit guys. Don’t let Manfred get ahold of a copy of your rule changes. These ideas are way better then eliminating the Andy Pettite move to 1st or eliminating any possibility of a catcher ever throwing out a base stealer. Pick off throws to first, “limit of 2 please”. You know they are “conducting extensive fan research and opinion gathering” and “listening to our fans”. Of course we will need to see all of your suggestions tried out in the minors so the kids trying to move up can play a different game at every level. I was thinking of shock collars to eliminate shifts in AA.
Perhaps Price can make the switch to the pen as well as Smoltz.
Check out Justin Turners FaceTime calls to some teammates and coaches. It’s hysterical where he acts like they called him and he says he’s too busy to talk now. Funny stuff. You can just see how good the chemistry is on this team. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
TO contributors –
I have only posted a couple of times in the past year – however, I have immensely enjoyed reading everyone’s comments almost on a daily basis for many years.
I really appreciate that everybody tries to respect the boundaries that Mark has put into place so that all of us “no matter” political affiliation, nationality or other, can have open dialogue talking about our Dodger’s!!
Kind of like it use to be before the “tribe mentality” that unfortunately seems to exist today.
I am mainly writing this just to let the individuals who normally contribute – TO KEEP IT UP! – as there are many of us the really appreciate the few minute reprieve from the daily life.
Lot to digest, Mark.
Not sure I give much credence to Seager growing up a Yankee fan and somehow that is suppose to mean something. He was drafted by the Dodgers, grew up in the system and has become a star in LA.
As to signing him before he reaches free agency. Makes some sense, but it’s a lot of money and Seager had a couple of seasons marred by injuries. Maybe it’s more of a wait and see what happens this year.
No question Scott Boras will push for top dollar, nothing will change in that respect. Seager no doubt wants the highest contract he can get.
I really like Seager, want to see the Dodgers sign him long term. I’m sure there will be limited competition for his services. How many teams can afford or are willing to offer contracts of that magnitude — especially considering that most don’t work out all that well? Many teams were really hurt financially by the pandemic. They don’t have the massive TV deal to fall back on.
Plus there are a lot of shortstops on the market. As to Seager, his market will be dictated by how well he performs this summer and his health. So it’s pretty much wait and see.
Andrew Friedman seems to be living in another universe these days. Tampa Bay, a distant memory. He has repeatedly said he wants to see Seager in a Dodger uniform long term. I’m sure ownership feels the same way. Certainly fans do.
If Seager stays healthy and has another big year, look for the Dodgers to go all in — if the Dodgers win it all again, more incentive for Seager to remain in blue.
The Dodgers are certainly in a great position in terms of future payroll.
SB
Was thinking about this earlier.
What if AF looks at our stable of young Pitchers, plus Bauer and Price for another year (2022), and decides against making an offer to CK?
Do we really need him at this point of his career?
I know sentiment will play a part in most Dodger fans thinking, but personally I would rather they put that money towards signing Seagar to a long term deal.
Mookie, Corey, Will, Gavin and hopefully Cody together with the young arms would give us a strong core for years.
He really does look the real deal currently.
I have thought for a while there’s a very real chance this is Kershaw’s last year with us. Adding that one year to his deal is the clue.
If the lefty bats of Muncy, Belli, and Lux don’t produce much, the Dodgers will pay more for Seager. If they produce a lot, the Dodgers might become more interested in a righty bat at SS.
Happy Birthday to your Brown-Eyed Girl Mark! It’s easy to see that you married up. Enjoy your time in Florida.
Good article. During the game last night, the announcers were discussing this rule change and how MLB intends to implement the changes. According to Rick Monday, the thought behind this rule change is to cut down on strikeouts.
Apparently MLB has bought into the “Chicks dig the long ball” mantra.
Kersh as did Turner will sign a two year deal with us next year if healthy. AF has already gone on record saying that Kersh should retire a Dodger. As for Seager who knows how many teams will pony up that kind of money for all the available SS’s. If Lux has a big year there could be the alternative of moving him to SS and maybe giving Busch a shot at second . Then spending some money on big bats in left and DH. But I hope Seager has an MVP year and makes it a really tough decision.
May deserves to be on the roster and not in AAA. I’m big on him being in the starting rotation because that .814 career OPS against LHB I don’t want in the bullpen. He will figure out how to get LHB out and it’s better if he does that early in the game and not late in the game.
It seems from what I have read that Kershaw, Buehler, Bauer, Urias are locks for the starting rotation. Personally I like Urias as a multi inning closing out games reliever, but oh well. If it’s between May and Price for the final spot in the starting rotation then I’m for May because of the reason I gave above.
So the bullpen locks look to be Jansen, Treinen, Gonsolin, Gonzalez, Price, Knebel. And the final 2 spots temporarily until Graterol is ready is between Alexander, Nelson, Santana. Personally I don’t like any of those 3 guys. Then we also have Joe Kelly lurking and who knows his stats and personally I don’t care, let him sit out 2021.
My opinion on the offense is that it will be just fine. The only concerns I possibly will have is whether Doc will stick with Pollock in LF too long while Taylor might be a better option and whether Doc will stick with Muncy too far up the starting lineup too long. Hopefully that doesn’t happen and I’m wrong about Pollock.
Not that I’m necessarily disappointed with the bullpen Friedman built, but I think the weakest part of the team will again be the bullpen, but the bullpen will be better than some of the recent Dodger bullpens of the past. It will be decent to good. I’d personally like good to dominate, but that’s just me.
I want the Dodgers to win back to back World Series. That’s why my opinions might seem negative at times.
I think the Dodgers will again have the best Starting Pitcher ERA in Baseball and Top Bullpen ERA, as it was last season.
Actually the Oakland A’s had the best team relief E.R.A last year during the regular season, Dodgers 2nd. But I had this discussion before about the short season and friendly schedule the Dodgers had last season. The playoff relief E.R.A paints a better picture, the Dodgers were 8th overall, the offense bailed out the relief pitching a few times in the playoffs. And Julio Urias (a starting pitcher) also bailed out the bullpen too. Big praise from me to the offense and Urias and the starting pitching overall too.
But anything is possible and your prediction may turn out to be accurate.
Eric, have you seen Nelson pitch this spring? His stuff is nasty. He will be a big contributor this year. Joc has hit two homers today and almost a third. One off a lefty! Good for him.
Yep I’ve seen Nelson this preseason and he looks good. Anything is possible. I just have a habit of looking at career stats and his is ugly, average against RHB and bad against LHB.
I liked Joc a lot and hope he does good, but not against the Dodgers.
Justin Turners stats were ugly… until they weren’t!
You’re right. But wasn’t Turner younger and had less experience the time he turned things around than Nelson’s age and experience right now? I’ve been looking at stats a lot today, so I don’t feel like looking up my question.
What I mean is that Turner might have had a small sample at the time vs Nelson’s sample right now.
No, Turner was 28 when the Dodgers signed him as a free agent. He became a regular when he was 29 the next season when he took over at 3rd for the injured Juan Uribe. All of Turner’s big numbers came after his age 28 season. Nelson broke in when he was 25 basically, but became a part of the Brewers rotation at 26. He had 3 full seasons before losing 2018 to injury. He just turned 30. Turner when the Dodgers got him had a total of 318 games of big league experience. Nelson in his first 3 full seasons pitched in 91 games.
Seager is a perfect fit here.
Win us another ring then ask whatever the hell you want.
Daddy’s paying.
I think it’s silly to bash Boras. He’s an agent. It’s his top priority to get his clients the most money possible. And he is damn good at it. If I were talented enough at anything to have an agent, I’d be inclined to have someone as voracious as Boras to represent me.
If Corey wins the MVP, or even just has a healthy year like his rookie or sophomore seasons he will lined up to get more than Machado. Machado is probably a closer player comp than Mookie. Mookie is top 2/3 player in the game. Seager might be top 10.
I’d pick bones with the “salary cap” crap. Without that, LA would probably have no problem paying Seager +35mil/year. Or maybe 40 for fewer years.
I do think the Yankees would be the most likely to sign him away. They’ve got money, and could move infield parts around to accommodate him.
I don’t like Borass so I feel free to bash him. He is the consummate snake oil salesman. I deal with snakes like him every day so I do admit that I am jaded. Yes, he is good. So was Jack the Ripper!
Bobby Miller has top of the rotation stuff, wow.
For sure.
Gray is closer and Pepiot has the changeup, but
Miller has the goodz
Pretty impressive fine tuning by Buehler, Bauer and Kershaw. Ready for the regular season! And Bellinger giving his best DJ Peters impersonation! It doesn’t count, it doesn’t count, it doesn’t count……
No one will care what they did in spring a week from now. I do not care about spring numbers. They can be very deceiving. What matters, especially for starting pitchers, is getting your pitch count up. Kersh did that tonight. I have seen him have similar meltdowns during the season, especially in Arizona. I always thought that is the one ball park he should avoid. His career ERA there is high. And in case no one noticed, Seager has cooled off considerably the last 4 games.
Could you give me an example. I don’t ever remember him pitching that badly
The way he’s pitched lately is over the top bad
If what I heard was right, he’s giving up more runs this year then his entire spring training career. I still have faith in him I’m just a little worried, especially the way Buehler has been pitching.
I
One more run. 21 in 2021, and 20 in 2014. Nothing to fret about. I have seen plenty of pitchers look bad in spring and be someone completely different in the season. Buehler is not pitching bad, he has just left some balls in the middle of the plate, so has Bauer.
In 2014 his spring ERA was 9.90, Yet he went on to win the MVP and the Cy Young. This spring he has given up exactly 1 more hit than he did that year, and 2 less HR’s. At Chase Field his ERA is 3.95 in 19 games. He has pitched 114 innings there giving up 100 hits and 35 walks, 50 of the 58 runs he has allowed there were earned and he has given up 14 HR’s and has a 7-9 record there. His ERA at Coors is even worse at 4.44, but he has an 11-5 record there because the Dodgers kill Rockies pitching. Other stadiums where his ERA is well over 3, Busch in St,Louis, 3.78. Citizen’s Bank in Philly, 3.70. PNC in Pitt, 3.99. Sun Life in Miami, 3.65. By comparison, his ERA in SF at AT&T is a minuscule, 1.52. Buehler’s ERA this spring is over 7. And Bauer over 4. Spring is for getting ready, especially for vets. Getting their reps is much more important than the results. His location has been off a little, and tonight his slider was not working very well.
Just so you all know, the so called new ball is not making much of a difference in HR totals, and no team has an ERA below 3.18 this spring. And that belongs to the Blue Jays. 11 of the 30 teams have given up 30 or more HR’s. Dodgers have allowed 32 and hit 23. Only 4 teams have ERA’s below 4, Jays, Yankees, Marlins and Mets. Dodgers is 4.50. Tied for 9th. 7 teams have ERA’s north of 5, and one, the Rockies , is over 6 at 6.09. Rockies and Reds have both allowed over 40 HR’s. And the regulars are not even playing full games yet. They have 5 spring games left. Bauer goes Saturday against Cleveland. Don’t sweat spring numbers.